At least one emitter formed of an electron emissive material is positioned on a cathode assembly and is readily and reliably connected to at least one mounting member of the cathode assembly. The connections between the at least one emitter and an emitter support structure are formed directly between the at least one emitter and the emitter support structure by utilizing the at one mounting member on the emitter support structure that are positioned adjacent the at least one emitter and heated to secure the at least one emitter to the emitter support structure by welding the at least one mounting member to the at least one emitter and emitter support structure.

At least one emitter formed of an electron emissive material is positioned on a cathode assembly and is readily and reliably connected to at least one mounting member of the cathode assembly. The connections between the at least one emitter and an emitter support structure are formed directly between the at least one emitter and the emitter support structure by utilizing the at one mounting member on the emitter support structure that are positioned adjacent the at least one emitter and heated to secure the at least one emitter to the emitter support structure by welding the at least one mounting member to the at least one emitter and emitter support structure.

A field emission transistor uses carbon nanotubes positioned to extend along a substrate plane rather than perpendicularly thereto. The carbon nanotubes may be pre-manufactured and applied to the substrate and then may be etched to create a gap between the carbon nanotubes and an anode through which electrons may flow by field emission. A planar gate may be positioned beneath the gap to provide a triode structure.

A field emission transistor uses carbon nanotubes positioned to extend along a substrate plane rather than perpendicularly thereto. The carbon nanotubes may be pre-manufactured and applied to the substrate and then may be etched to create a gap between the carbon nanotubes and an anode through which electrons may flow by field emission. A planar gate may be positioned beneath the gap to provide a triode structure.

A charged particle beam source that may include an emitter that has a tip for emitting charged particles; a socket; electrodes; a filament that is connected to the electrodes and to the emitter; electrodes for providing electrical signals to the filament; a support element that is connected to the emitter; and a support structure that comprises one or more interfaces for contacting only a part of the support element while supporting the support element.

A charged particle beam source that may include an emitter that has a tip for emitting charged particles; a socket; electrodes; a filament that is connected to the electrodes and to the emitter; electrodes for providing electrical signals to the filament; a support element that is connected to the emitter; and a support structure that comprises one or more interfaces for contacting only a part of the support element while supporting the support element.

An electron emission source is provided. The electron emission source comprises a first electrode, an insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a second electrode. The first electrode, the insulating layer, the semiconductor layer, and the second electrode are successively stacked with each other. The second electrode is a graphene layer, and the graphene layer is an electron emission end to emit electrons.

An electron emission source is provided. The electron emission source comprises a first electrode, an insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a second electrode. The first electrode, the insulating layer, the semiconductor layer, and the second electrode are successively stacked with each other. The second electrode is a graphene layer, and the graphene layer is an electron emission end to emit electrons.

A device for controlling electron flow is provided. The device comprises a cathode, an elongate electrical conductor embedded in a diamond substrate, an anode, and a control electrode provided on the substrate surface for modifying the electric field in the region of the end of the conductor. A method of manufacturing the device is also provided.

A device for controlling electron flow is provided. The device comprises a cathode, an elongate electrical conductor embedded in a diamond substrate, an anode, and a control electrode provided on the substrate surface for modifying the electric field in the region of the end of the conductor. A method of manufacturing the device is also provided.